Splendor Review May 30-June 6

[ugagal07]

On our last day, my DH did the cycling class which he enjoyed. We had breakfast on the lido deck and then went to slogan trivia, we didn't win but oh well. They had the lido deck covered today as it was cold and windy again. We had lunch and relaxed out on lido deck.

Hit the casino and then dressed for the fun farewell party in the lounges. Live music and free drinks, good deal. We went to the smaller Cool Lounge rather than the larger El Morocco and it was much less crowded and drinks were much easier to get. We went to the sushi bar, DH to the casino and myself back to the room to pack, and then off to dinner.

After dinner, we went back to the room where our liquor was waiting, got that packed up and put our luggage in the hallway. We opted to skip the Legends Show and I went to watch Avatar on the big screen while the DH went back to the casino. At the end of the week, we pretty much broke even in the casino, which is good for us. We set aside a certain amount of money to gamble with and when it's gone, it's gone; but it sure is fun playing with it. :)

Debarkation the next morning was easy. We had breakfast in the dining room as we were not doing self-assist (where you carry your own luggage off) and weren't in a hurry. Once our zone was called, about 20 minutes after the scheduled time which really wasn't a big deal, we got in line. From getting in line, it took about 25 minutes to clear customs and get outside to catch SuperShuttle.

We sat in the van for 50 minutes before we filled up and left, it was a little ridiculous as they had vans going to LAX, vans going to LB airport, and our van going to both... So off to LB airport, then LAX we went.

Got to the airport around 11, checked our luggage, and went to wait. We grabbed some McDonald's as it was a 5 hour flight back home. We boarded late but Delta was so much better than AirTran flying out. It seemed like larger seats, in seat tvs and music, and blankets. We shuttled to our car and headed home.

This was a great trip and we really enjoyed it. Overall the weather was great, no rain. It was a little chillier, ok a lot chillier, than we expected between Cabo and Long Beach so I'd suggest some pants and a windbreaker if you've got room in your luggage. We liked the spa perks, but if we hadn't upgraded to the room, I don't think we would have liked them as much. We're young so didn't have the aches and pains that the spa staff said it would cure.

If you're going on the Splendor enjoy!

I have the Fun Times and am working to get them scanned, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[ugagal07]

The terrain wasn't bad at all. There were a few rocks sticking up in the path, but they were easy to avoid, and if you did hit them they weren't big enough to flip it. My in-laws did the tour right after a really bad storm a few years ago, so some of the sand had washed away and it was a little rougher. You are riding in the desert and on a beach, so it is mostly sand. The cacti are not crowding the path so no worries about prickles.

 

It is a semi-automatic so you have to change gears with your foot, but we found ourselves staying mostly in 3rd-5th. The guide can also pace his speed to help you feel more comfortable. I think we started out slower than we finished, when I got used to the machine and terrain I felt more confident and opened it up. If she does ride with you I would highly recommend pants to keep her legs protected, pants for everyone would be good. You will get VERY dusty but it is well worth it!

[cjtravel]

Great review!! It was great meeting you and your husband on the trip. I see that your on the Fascination in Dec. We were on it back in Feb. so if you have any questions, just let us know.

[Inklight]

Thanks for the review and for sharing your excursion tips. We'll be on the Splendor in August and I'm now looking at the port activities. Can't hardly wait ... woo hoo!!!

[riclop]

On our last day, my DH did the cycling class which he enjoyed. We had breakfast on the lido deck and then went to slogan trivia, we didn't win but oh well. They had the lido deck covered today as it was cold and windy again. We had lunch and relaxed out on lido deck.

 

Hit the casino and then dressed for the fun farewell party in the lounges. Live music and free drinks, good deal. We went to the smaller Cool Lounge rather than the larger El Morocco and it was much less crowded and drinks were much easier to get. We went to the sushi bar, DH to the casino and myself back to the room to pack, and then off to dinner.

 

After dinner, we went back to the room where our liquor was waiting, got that packed up and put our luggage in the hallway. We opted to skip the Legends Show and I went to watch Avatar on the big screen while the DH went back to the casino. At the end of the week, we pretty much broke even in the casino, which is good for us. We set aside a certain amount of money to gamble with and when it's gone, it's gone; but it sure is fun playing with it. :)

 

Debarkation the next morning was easy. We had breakfast in the dining room as we were not doing self-assist (where you carry your own luggage off) and weren't in a hurry. Once our zone was called, about 20 minutes after the scheduled time which really wasn't a big deal, we got in line. From getting in line, it took about 25 minutes to clear customs and get outside to catch SuperShuttle.

 

We sat in the van for 50 minutes before we filled up and left, it was a little ridiculous as they had vans going to LAX, vans going to LB airport, and our van going to both... So off to LB airport, then LAX we went.

 

Got to the airport around 11, checked our luggage, and went to wait. We grabbed some McDonald's as it was a 5 hour flight back home. We boarded late but Delta was so much better than AirTran flying out. It seemed like larger seats, in seat tvs and music, and blankets. We shuttled to our car and headed home.

 

This was a great trip and we really enjoyed it. Overall the weather was great, no rain. It was a little chillier, ok a lot chillier, than we expected between Cabo and Long Beach so I'd suggest some pants and a windbreaker if you've got room in your luggage. We liked the spa perks, but if we hadn't upgraded to the room, I don't think we would have liked them as much. We're young so didn't have the aches and pains that the spa staff said it would cure.

 

If you're going on the Splendor enjoy!

 

I have the Fun Times and am working to get them scanned, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

It seems you have a casino addiction.

[ugagal07]

We don't have any casinos close to home so we have the "cruise casino" fund that we add to leading up to our cruises. Once we're out of money, we stop. Besides, $20 at a blackjack table can last a while. :) And with Carnival getting rid of $5 blackjack in the evenings, you spend a lot of time waiting for a spot at their own version of blackjack with better house odds waiting to open up. To us, casinos are a perk of cruising :)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

The terrain wasn't bad at all. There were a few rocks sticking up in the path, but they were easy to avoid, and if you did hit them they weren't big enough to flip it. My in-laws did the tour right after a really bad storm a few years ago, so some of the sand had washed away and it was a little rougher. You are riding in the desert and on a beach, so it is mostly sand. The cacti are not crowding the path so no worries about prickles.

 

It is a semi-automatic so you have to change gears with your foot, but we found ourselves staying mostly in 3rd-5th. The guide can also pace his speed to help you feel more comfortable. I think we started out slower than we finished, when I got used to the machine and terrain I felt more confident and opened it up. If she does ride with you I would highly recommend pants to keep her legs protected, pants for everyone would be good. You will get VERY dusty but it is well worth it!

 

Thanks so much!!

 

:D

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Thanks for the review and for sharing your excursion tips. We'll be on the Splendor in August and I'm now looking at the port activities. Can't hardly wait ... woo hoo!!!

 

 

Hey, Inklight:

 

By your countdown clock, it looks like we're on the same sailing. We have a roll call--feel free to come meet some of the folks you'll be sailing with! :D

 

Here's the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=24759924&posted=1#post24759924

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Love It!!!